All DnD classes explained

In Dungeons and Dragons, choosing one of the 14 DnD classes might be the most important decision you can make. D&D classes shape the way you play, allowing you to wield axes, cast spells, or even communicate with animals. This guide gives you an overview of the classes so you can choose the character option that floats your boat the most.

If you’re looking to roll up a Dungeons and Dragons character for your first (or ninety-first) adventure, this player’s guide gives a full intro to each of the DnD 5e classes, as well as our expert opinion on their individual strengths and weaknesses. As of August 1, 2024, we’ll also include links to our brand new guides to the DnD 2024 classes, explaining what’s changed in the newest version of the game!

Once you’ve chosen one of the DnD 5e classes, we’ve other simple guides to help get your 5e character game-ready. You’ll need to choose which of the DnD races and DnD backgrounds they have, then fill in their character sheet. We recommend using a free DnD character creator tool to make this a lot quicker and easier.

For now, though, let’s review the 14 classes (13 official, and one unofficial) currently on offer in fifth edition Dungeons and Dragons.

These are the 13 DnD classes:

• Barbarian 5e
• Bard 5e
• Cleric 5e
• Druid 5e
• Fighter 5e
• Monk 5e
• Paladin 5e
• Ranger 5e
• Rogue 5e
• Sorcerer 5e
• Warlock 5e
• Wizard 5e
• Artificer 5e

There are also two popular DnD classes by third-party designers:

• Blood Hunter 5e
• Illrigger 5e

How to choose between DnD classes

DnD classes define what makes you an adventurer – whether that be a particular profession, faith, heritage, or lifestyle choice. Each has its own playstyles, with different strengths and weaknesses. Every class also comes with a host of subclasses that offer new and varied ways to play.

You might choose a class because you like its description or because it fills a role in the party that you’d find enjoyable. If you’re a new player, you might also want to choose one of the simpler classes to start with.

The 2024 Player’s Handbook provides a useful table summarizing these key features:

The Artificer, Blood Hunter, and Illrigger don’t appear in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, so we’ve made our own table of features for them:

A big question to ask yourself when looking at classes is what kind of role you want to take in the adventuring party. Do you want to be the armored support, like a Cleric? Or maybe the flashy damage dealer as a Sorcerer? Your character’s core DnD stats should guide you here.

If you’re already part of a gaming group, it can help to consider what your friends like to roleplay, too. The most effective adventuring parties tend to feature a range of classes. This makes you a more powerful team in general, but it also gives everyone a unique role – meaning everyone gets to have a hero moment without treading on anyone else’s toes.

This isn’t always the case, of course. An all-Bard party can be hilariously fun, and many classes come with subclasses that fill drastically different roles. But it’s worth bearing in mind the needs of the many when you’re shopping for a new D&D class.

Barbarian 5e

The embodiment of anger management issues, the Barbarian 5e class is filled with the classic muscle-bound, hot-headed warriors we all know and love. Based on figures like Conan or Boudica, they are heavy hitters who excel in battle.

With their rage ability and higher-level subclass features, Barbarians have the potential to deal devastating damage in combat and are near-impossible to take down because, of all the DnD classes, they have the highest hit dice (which determine your health).

As this is a simple class that usually focuses on using brawn instead of brains, players will want to prioritize raising their Strength, Constitution, and Dexterity scores for an effective battle-ready Barbarian build.

Barbarian strengths

High hit dice and plenty of Rage mean the Barbarian is one tough cookie in combat. It’s a very satisfying experience to dominate the battlefield (even if your method of dealing damage can get a little same-y).

While every class has its own intricacies, the Barbarian isn’t too complicated to build. This means it could be a great choice for a new D&D player who still wants to feel like a powerful party member.

Barbarian weaknesses

Everyone has an Achilles’ heel, and the Barbarian has a few distinct weak spots. They’re only really built for melee, meaning ranged foes will be particularly problematic.

Barbarians also tend to dump their mental and social stats (Wisdom, Intelligence, Charisma). Low Charisma and a lack of useful skills mean they won’t be helpful in social roleplaying situations, and they may feel a bit useless in campaigns with less focus on combat.

A lack of Wisdom is the real killer, though. A lot of enemy attacks may call for a Wisdom saving throw, leaving your Barbarian vulnerable.

Barbarian subclasses

At level three you can learn to specialize your anger in one of four specific ways:

• Path of the Berserker: The angriest Barbarian, you can use your Rage to become an unstoppable, frenzied force.
• Path of the Wild Heart: A Barbarian with a special connection to the natural world, you gain your pick of animal-themed powers, from damage resistance to flight.
• Path of the World Tree: This Barbarian is connected to a multidimensional tree. You can use its life force for extra HP, or grab your foes with spectral branches.
• Path of the Zealot: A Barbarian fighting in the name of a god. You can infuse your weapon with holy power and heal wounds with your devotion.

These are the 2024 subclasses, but you can find the rest of the 5e options in our Barbarian subclasses 5e ranking list.

DnD 2024 Barbarian

Ready to start building your own skull-crushing, body-building badass? Read our DnD 2024 Barbarian guide for full details on how this class works. We’ll take you all the way from level 1 to level 20.

For the 5th edition version, try our Barbarian 5e class guide for builds and tips in the old ruleset.

Bard 5e

If you want to hone your roleplaying skills, the confident and charming Bard 5e class is a great choice. Often referred to as the ‘jack of all trades’ of the adventuring party, the Bard is a versatile class that can be a huge benefit to teammates, both in battle and in social interactions.

A relatively tricky class to optimize, choosing the Bard’s spells requires strategic thinking and foresight. As they are primary spellcasters who truly shine in social situations, focus on raising their Charisma score as you progress.

Bard strengths

The Bard is one of the more flexible classes Dungeons and Dragons offers. They’re masters of many different skills and spells, which means they’ve heaps of utility in and outside of combat.

The Bard can be tweaked to fit whatever role your party is missing, and they can have their fingers dipped in many pies at once. Want to be the party Face but still feel powerful in combat? That’s the Bard, baby.

Bard weaknesses

Of course, the Bard can’t do everything. The main thing they’ll never let you do is master combat, as the class is majorly lacking when it comes to damage spells. Some subclasses can give your Bard a bit of martial prowess, but they’ll rarely rival the party Fighter, Barbarian, or Paladin.

Plus, as we already mentioned, the Bard isn’t the easiest class to optimize. It’s easy to become paralyzed by the number of options available. It’s also easy to get stuck spamming Vicious Mockery in combat when you’re trying to save your spell slots.

While your character may be carefree and marching to the beat of their own drum, the Bard player will need to plan carefully.

DnD 2024 Bard

Thinking of taking up your lute / violin / bagpipes and setting out on a musical tour of the Forgotten Realms? We can teach you about the DnD 2024 Bard class, which looks quite different in the 2024 rules.

Alternatively, you can play out your current options with our in-depth Bard 5e class guide. You can also find your creative flair with our ranked list of DnD Bard subclasses.

Cleric 5e

The Cleric 5e class is the divine agent of a god, and they act as your tanky healer, smiting evil while keeping their party alive. However, Clerics can follow vastly different archetypes and playstyles based on which DnD god and divine domain they choose.

There are a huge number of divine domains to choose from, each offering varied party roles. For example, if you are focused on healing, a Life Cleric is a great choice, whereas combat-orientated Clerics will benefit from the War domain.

Since Clerics are primary spellcasters with a Wisdom focus, and the party’s healer too, invest in their Wisdom and Constitution scores as you gain a DnD level up. With their simple spellcasting mechanic and baked-in roleplaying options, they are a great pick for first-time players.

Cleric strengths

With so many subclasses to choose from, Clerics can excel in most party roles. Each divine domain comes with its own form of Channel Divinity, an awesome Cleric ability which does far more than just scare off the undead.

While they’re known for their incredible healing skills, it’s just as viable to create an offensive build and deal some impressive levels of damage. Plus, as Wisdom spellcasters, Clerics have a better chance of staying stable when it comes to the game’s favorite saving throws.

Cleric weaknesses

A lot of D&D players hear the word ‘healer’ whenever a Cleric is mentioned. This means that, regardless of your DnD character build, other players may expect you to focus on healing their combat-happy characters. It’s an issue that can be solved with clear communication, but it’s worth knowing before you sign yourself up for some holy smiting.

DnD 2024 Cleric

Fancy yourself a devoted warrior of faith? Get up-to-date on how the class works in the newest version of Dungeons and Dragons, with our DnD 2024 Cleric guide.

If you’re sticking to 5th Edition, we still have you covered – read our complete, in-depth Cleric 5e class and DnD Cleric subclasses guides.

Druid 5e

Ever wanted to be one with nature or transform into any creature? If the answer is yes, then the Druid 5e class is for you. Druids are fairly flexible, able to polymorph into beasts, heal the party, and control the elements to turn a battle in your favor.

With quirky 5e spells and an aversion to metal, roleplaying as an eccentric Druid can be fun for players who love mysticism and folklore. As a primary spellcaster, you should focus on raising your Druid’s Wisdom score first and foremost.

Druid strengths

Druids are Wisdom-based spellcasters, which feel great to play. You’re hardy in the face of the game’s most common saving throw, and you’re naturally adept with out-of-combat skills like Perception, Insight, and Survival.

And that’s not the only reason the Druid makes a great all-rounder. The Druid has an excellent selection of spells and cantrips, and you can prepare any Druid spell of the appropriate level, switching your options out on a long rest.

Combine this with the Druid’s strong and varied subclasses, and you’ve a highly versatile and replayable DnD class. Whether you want to be a frontline fighter or a supportive healer, the Druid has options for you.
We haven’t even talked about Wild Shape 5e yet. Depending on how you play your Druid, this can be a huge boon in or out of combat. And there’s endless amounts of fun to be had roleplaying in your animal form.

Druid weaknesses

The Druid’s low armor class and health make it one of the squishier classes to play. DMs can be very particular about that ‘no metal’ rule when it comes to armor too, so you’re particularly vulnerable.
Plus, while the Druid can access some truly awesome spells, many of them rely on concentration 5e. This puts a limit on the cool Druid shenanigans you can get going. Some Druid builds can start to feel a bit like a jack of all trades, master of none.

DnD 2024 Druid

The new rules feature an improved DnD 2024 Druid (who can even talk in Wild Shape now!). If you’d like to learn more, we already have a complete class guide available.

For the 2014 rules, plant yourself in the most fertile soil possible with our comprehensive D&D Druid 5e class guide. Be sure to check out our ranked DnD Druid subclasses guide, too.

Fighter 5e

The classic action hero archetype, the Fighter 5e is a specialized battle machine and an excellent pick for players who love to deal damage in combat. Like the Barbarian, focus on Strength/Dexterity and Constitution to make your Fighter a devastating force in combat.

Great for new players and an ideal base class to experiment with DnD multiclassing, the Fighter offers a range of roleplaying possibilities. Simple doesn’t have to mean boring though – a range of excellent subclasses and access to more feats than other classes can stop the Fighter feeling stale.

Fighter strengths

As we mentioned, Fighters are great options for new players who are still learning the ropes of D&D. The Champion is one of the simplest subclasses in the game, which may appeal to newbies still building their confidence.

That’s not to say things can’t get more advanced – as we already said, there’s a whole range of viable Fighter subclasses and character builds which add complexity. Fighters also have more ability score increases to play with, meaning you can shake things up even further by experimenting with 5e feats (or DnD 2024 feats, if you’re using the new rules).

Fighters are entirely designed around combat, which means they feel great to play during battle. They get more attacks than anyone else, and they deal ridiculous levels of damage to single targets. Combine that with a sturdy armor class and plenty of HP, and you’re one hell of a powerhouse.

Fighter weaknesses

The Fighter’s greatest strength also leads to its greatest pitfall. While you’re a beast in battle, you’re not great at much else. Playing a Fighter in a campaign focused on investigation or social intrigue may leave you twiddling your heavily-armored thumbs. The DnD weapon mastery rules introduced in the 2024 rules will help add some variety to the class, but this is still a fairly one-note class.

Like other martial classes, Fighters are also particularly vulnerable to spell attacks that call for mental saving throws. Wisdom is not usually your strong suit.

Fighter subclasses

You’ll be surprised how many ways there are to swing a sword about and hit people hard.

• Battle Master: A tactics expert, you gain all sorts of special manoeuvres, from disarming attacks to ambushes, that will make martial combat far more interesting.
•  Champion: The most Fighter-y of Fighters, your critical hits get more powerful and you get more of them, as well as near-unlimited re-rolls.
• Eldritch Knight: Why pick between the sword and the spell? With this Fighter subclass you gain magical powers, firing off cantrips alongside your attacks.
• Psi Warrior: This Fighter is strong in body and mind. You may protect yourself with a wall of force, move objects with your brain, and force jump like a Jedi warrior.

Not satisfied? For more flavors of Fighter, check out our ranking of the best Fighter subclasses 5e.

DnD 2024 Fighter

Ready to pick up your sword? We’ve covered all this classes’ features from the 2024 Player’s Handbook, so you can learn all about the DnD 2024 Fighter and see how the class has changed with the addition of Weapon Masteries and some handy tweaks.

Alternatively, you can begin your training with the 2014 rules in our complete D&D Fighter 5e class guide.

Monk 5e

The Monk 5e class is the martial arts expert of the D&D world. Driven by discipline and the mystical force Ki, they destroy their enemies quickly and effectively.

With their speed, Monks make excellent strikers in combat, able to break through enemy lines and target spellcasters. Their abilities make them great damage dealers, but they can be challenging to play due to their low hit dice and lack of DnD armor proficiency.

The Monk class offers unique character options with tons of pop culture references for roleplaying, from ninjas to air/water/earth/fire-benders. Focus on raising your Dexterity, Wisdom, and Constitution scores as you progress.

Monk strengths

Monks may not always hit hard, but they hit often, getting multiple attacks earlier than most martial classes. Plus, when your weapons are your hands, you’re never unarmed – something that can be useful in social scenarios or when the party gets captured.

As Monks require strong Wisdom, Dexterity, and Constitution, you’ll easily resist the common saving throws a DM throws at you. You’re also a beast on the other end of saves, sometimes forcing enemies to fend off multiple saves in a single turn. Like we said before: spellcasters beware.

Monk weaknesses

In fifth edition, many players considered the Monk the worst D&D class of all. We don’t believe any class is rock-bottom, but the Monk does have some drawbacks which can make it difficult to master.

The Monk’s AC and HP are nothing to write home about, and the damage they deal can feel a little puny. They get few proficiencies, and they’re heavily reliant on three stats – which is a lot to keep at optimum levels, and often rules feats out of a viable build.

Monk subclasses

There are lots of DnD Monk subclasses to try, but these are the ones supported in the modern, 2024 handbook:

• Warrior of Mercy: This monk wields the power of life and death. You can heal with one hand and harm with the other, even raising the dead at high levels.
• Warrior of Shadow: A rather Rogue-like Monk, you cloak yourself in magical darkness, attacking from a shadowy shawl of your own creation.
• Warrior of the Elements: The elemental Monk is massively upgraded in the 2024 rules. You can blast your opponents with far-reaching elemental strikes, and gain rocket-powered flight.
• Warrior of the Open Hand: This Monk is a master of unarmed combat. You can use your fists to trip or shove enemies, jump around like a ninja, and heal yourself with good, clean living.

DnD 2024 Monk

Compared to the original, the DnD 2024 Monk is on another level. Its abilities are upgraded and it can use them more frequently. Some of the worst subclasses have been tweaked, and things are generally in a much better position than before.

Will you master the power of the Ki with your next D&D character? If you can’t tear yourself away from tradition, our DnD Monk 5e guide uncovers the old version of this class’s rules, subclasses, and secret ways. If this is your favorite class, we’d urge you to move to the 2024 rules however, they’re that much stronger.

Paladin 5e

Often taking the leadership role and becoming the face of the party, the Paladin 5e is a charismatic hybrid class, dealing in both spellcasting and melee combat. Unlike previous editions of the game, there are no DnD alignments or religious restrictions for your Paladin in 5e, making them personality-driven and only bound to their chosen Oath. These Oaths will define your character’s play style, so pick carefully.

To create a well-rounded Paladin who can support your party and act as the negotiator/diplomat in social situations, focus on raising your Charisma and Strength scores. Then, place your faith in your chosen god, and get smiting.

Paladin strengths

The DnD Paladin excels in both striker and support mode, with strong damage and healing options in equal measure. They hit hard, they heal hard, and with chunky AC and armor proficiencies, they can tank pretty well too. Surely there’s nothing a Paladin can’t do?

Paladin weaknesses

Ranged combat – that’s one thing Paladins can’t really do. They also aren’t known for their stamina. Paladin spell slots and the majority of Paladin features all replenish on a long rest, meaning they can feel a bit feeble when facing multiple combat sessions in a single day.

Plus, Paladin players have a lot of ability scores to juggle. Strength and Charisma are the absolute bare minimum, with Constitution also playing a major role in your build. When your class can do everything, you’ve got to build carefully to avoid getting spread too thin.

Paladin subclasses

Paladins can take various ‘oaths’ which represent its key subclasses.

• Oath of Devotion: This Paladin fights for justice and honor. Your weapon glows with holy powers, and your powers protect your allies from all dangers.
• Oath of Glory: A Paladin that’s all about self-improvement. You can buff yourself, and your friends, with many boons.
• Oath of the Ancients: This Paladin loves the world as much as any Druid. As well as wielding nature-based magic, you never age, and are very hard to kill.
• Oath of Vengeance: A very angry Paladin that likes to be in the centre of any fight. Pick a target and take them down, dishing out extra attacks and damage against your chosen foe.

If none of these quite strike your fancy, our DnD Paladin subclasses guide provides the best character options in 5e.

DnD 2024 Paladin

Are you truly set upon taking your Oath and joining the noble champions of the righteous? Here’s everything you need to know about the DnD 2024 Paladin.

Or, for the 2014 rules, dive into our comprehensive Paladin 5e guide for more on Paladin stats, Oaths, subclasses, and more.

Ranger 5e

A hybrid class perfect for any players that love exploration, the Ranger 5e class is part martial warrior, part spellcaster, and can be invaluable party members. A popular choice, Rangers are the masters of nature and can take on multiple party roles. They can be both melee and ranged damage dealers with their DnD weapons, cast control spells, and provide heaps of utility for campaigns with their tracking abilities.

Rangers get a ton of choices as they level up. They can select things like favored terrain and enemies, so it is always a good idea to consult with your DM when character-building. Focus on raising your Dexterity score for damage and Wisdom or Constitution for spells and skills.

Ranger strengths

If you want a character that excels at exploration, travel, and tracking, there are few better options than a Ranger. They can access some excellent spells for support and area control, and a range of strong Ranger subclasses allow you to specialize in your favorite roleplaying activities. Want to be a Stealth master or a DnD monster specialist? There are some fun and flavorful options with the Ranger.

Ranger weaknesses

The problem with most 2014 Rangers is they specialize too much. Some of the Ranger’s main features can become far too situational, and a player can easily pick up tricks they’ll never need to use in a campaign. A Ranger is part Druid, part Rogue, and part Fighter – but it can be challenging to build a character that matches any of these classes in power.

The class got some optional features in Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything, and the 2024 rules gave the Ranger a complete overhaul. Things are better now, but it does require you to fork out for another DnD book if you want the new-and-improved build.

Still, even after all these tweaks, many consider the Ranger the weakest class. The 2024 version is far stronger, but fans still aren’t keen on how much the class requires you to concentrate on Hunter’s Mark over your other Ranger spells.

Ranger subclasses

Here are the four stripes of Ranger in the 2024 PHB:

• Beast Master: A Ranger who’s bonded with a mystical animal, who will fight alongside you in combat.
• Fey Wanderer: This Ranger is infused with the strange magic of the Feywild. You can frighten or charm foes, summon a fairy to fight for you, and Misty Step all about the battlefield.
• Gloom Stalker: This subclass is for Rangers who like to fight at night. You can see in the dark, start combats with deadly ambushes, and send enemies running with scary Shadowfell magic.
• Hunter: Keeping things real, this Ranger forgoes magical tricks for special moves that make you a more effective fighter.

Though they’re the only ones supported by the new books, these aren’t the only subclasses available. If you’d rather be a Drakewarden or a Gloom Stalker, feel free to read about the best and the worst of the Ranger subclasses 5e.

DnD 2024 Ranger

Have you already donned your forest-green armor and nocked an arrow in preparation for the Ranger’s life? Read our explainer on the upgraded DnD 2024 Ranger, to find out how it works in the current version of D&D.

Or, if you prefer 5th edition, check out our comprehensive D&D Ranger 5e guide for all the key races, builds, and more.

Rogue 5e

The Rogue 5e is an elusive class that prides itself on its ability to pick your pockets while stabbing you in the back. Awarded the most skills out of all classes, a Rogue can build themselves into an irreplaceable ‘multi-tool’ teammate, picking locks, gathering information, and deceiving their way out of disputes.

With abilities like sneak attack, they can obliterate single targets, making them satisfying to play for damage-dealing. Focus on raising your Rogue’s Dexterity score, and strategically pick your level-up options to support the playstyle you want.

Rogue strengths

The Rogue’s utility in and out of combat makes them a highly appealing class to play. Whether you want a master lockpicker, a cunning Charisma machine, or a sneaky scout, there are few roleplaying situations where a Rogue isn’t useful. That includes battle – they excel in both ranged and melee combat, and their Cunning Action gives them more agility than anyone else on the field.

Rogue weaknesses

Strategy is perhaps the biggest con of playing a Rogue – there’s somehow too much strategy and not enough. A Rogue’s sneak attack relies on allies being positioned correctly or some other form of disadvantage, meaning you need to do some careful planning to ensure your one big hit does the trick. On the other hand, the cycle of ‘hit then hide’ that Cunning Action creates can feel a little repetitive at times.

Rogue subclasses

These are the four types of Rogue in the 2024 Player’s Handbook. At level three choose between:

• Arcane Trickster: A magically enhanced Rogue with spellcasting powers. You can use a mystical Mage Hand for pranks, or even steal the spells right out of a Wizard’s head.
• Assassin: The most murderous Rogue. You’re all about attacking by stealth, using ambush and poison to dispatch your foes.
• Soulknife: A Rogue who can use the powers of the mind. You have all sorts of tricks, from altering your own fate, talking telepathically, or just stabbing someone with a blade of psychic energy
• Thief: The ‘classic’ Rogue, gifted in all things burglary. You can climb any wall, spring any lock, and use any magic items carelessly left lying around.

If you’d prefer a different kind of sneakster, there are more options in our Rogue subclasses 5e guide.

DnD 2024 Rogue

Ready to hit the backstreets and make a name for yourself? Read our DnD 2024 Rogue guide for all the information and tips you need to play this class.

If you’re sticking with 2014 rules, we also have a comprehensive D&D Rogue 5e class, with expert opinion on the best Rogue builds.

Sorcerer 5e

Unlike other spellcasters, a Sorcerer 5e has their magic granted through natural means; their powers come from raw ability. It’s quite a complex class, but the offering of versatile spells and DnD cantrips make Sorcerers well-equipped for most dungeon crawling and social interactions.

With their proficiency in Constitution saving throws and the ability to use sorcery points to make more spell slots, they are an enticing spellcaster class for any player. Focus on raising your Charisma score for spellcasting and remember that fire spells in D&D 5e are always a powerful choice.

Sorcerer strengths

When used well, a Sorcerer’s Metamagic abilities can transform the state of a fight in a single turn. Being able to improve the speed, success rate, reach, or duration of a spell opens up a huge number of possibilities, and the Sorcerer is a class that certainly rewards creativity.

These abilities can make Sorcerers one of the best damage-dealing spellcasters in D&D. Plus, thanks to their high Charisma score, they’ve got plenty of usefulness outside of a combat scenario.

Sorcerer weaknesses

As we said before, this is a fairly complex class that would suit only the most studious D&D newbie. You’ve got a limited spell list to work with, plus fewer spell slots than other spellcasters (particularly if you’re swapping them out to maximize your Sorcerer powers). Every character build decision really counts with a Sorcerer, and there’s less room for error.

The other downside to note is the consistency of a Sorcerer. A truly powerful turn uses up a lot of resources, so you’ll have plenty of cantrip-heavy and less exciting turns in between to make up for your explosive actions. And, given the lack of armor and puny hit dice, a careless Sorcerer can easily get downed before they’ve had a chance to change the tide of battle.

DnD 2024 Sorcerer

Think you can feel the arcane blood coursing through your veins? Find out about the DnD 2024 Sorcerer with our complete guide to the class.

Even if you’re still playing with the 2014 rules, we can help you discover your true potential. Read our exhaustive DnD Sorcerer 5e class guide to channel your powers, and check out how we’d rank each of the DnD Sorcerer subclasses.

Warlock 5e

Spellcasters who form a pact with an otherworldly patron, the Warlock 5e are granted incredible powers, making them uniquely strong damage dealers and unlike any other spellcaster in 5e. Despite their deceptively easy spellcasting, Warlocks are a mechanically complex class. Each level-up choice is meaningful and requires strategic thinking.

Their obligation to and relationship with their patron make them a story-building goldmine. You can be a cultist working for the fiends of hell, or an agent of the fey – the possibilities are endless. They’re great for damage dealers to multiclass into, too (though this is slightly less true in the 2024 version of the rules). Focus on your Charisma score for spellcasting, and don’t forget to Eldritch Blast 5e at every opportunity.

Warlock strengths

Warlocks are well-suited to D&D players who want to try a little bit of everything. Being Charisma-based means they can easily become a passable party Face, and they’ve got so many customization options that none of your Warlock builds need to look the same. Plus, the potency of their low-level abilities means Warlocks are a prime target for multiclassing – opening up your build options even further.

Warlock weaknesses

The Warlock’s spell slots are limited, and the amount of short rests you’ll get to replenish them are somewhat at the mercy of your DM. This means that in some situations (imagine a severe survival campaign where rests are limited) playing a Warlock can be incredibly restrictive.

Warlock subclasses

This is who you can sign up to serve:

• Archfey Patron: Serving a powerful being of the Feywild, you can blink around with an enhanced Misty Step and deal psychic damage to attackers.
• Celestial Patron: This Warlock serves a holy Upper Planes being like a sphinx or unicorn. You get some of the healing powers of a Cleric and can smite with extra radiant damage.
• Fiend Patron: This Warlock goes the other way, serving a demon or devil. You get hit points for kills, and can use the luck of the devil to alter rolls.
• Great Old One Patron: This Warlock serves an Eldritch elder being. You get telepathy and a range of psychic spells.

Other DnD Warlock patrons are available, but you won’t benefit from 2024’s quality of life upgrades.

DnD 2024 Warlock

Ready to make your pact with forces unknown? Dive in deep with our DnD 2024 Warlock guide, and feel the power of otherworldly beings.

If you’d rather play 5th edition, read our full DnD Warlock 5e guide, complete with all the Warlock races, subclasses, and builds you’ll need to get started.

Wizard 5e

The Wizard 5e class and fantasy go hand in hand, and many players will no doubt gravitate towards this class. With eight DnD schools of magic to choose from and a unique spellbook mechanic, Wizards immerse players completely into the ‘studious magical genius’ role, making roleplaying a breeze. They can obliterate multiple enemies at once, but they are quite vulnerable due to their low hit dice.

Although tricky at first, once you understand the spellbook mechanic and how to use abilities like mage armor, a Wizard can be one of the party’s most effective damage dealers. Focus on your Intelligence score for spellcasting – and remember to keep your spellbook safe!

Wizard strengths

Flexibility is arguably the Wizard’s greatest strength. Thanks to their varied subclasses and the huge number of spells they can learn, a Wizard can fill almost any role in a party. They’re not the class to go for if you want to main as a healer, but the right build lets you do pretty much anything else.

Wizard weaknesses

The obvious downside of playing a Wizard is how delicate you are. Puny hit points, poor saving throws, and the worst hit dice in fifth edition all make you particularly vulnerable.

The complexity of the class may also be off-putting for some players. Managing your spellbook and spell slots requires plenty of thought, and the Wizard class is most rewarding when you’ve carefully planned for an encounter. Essentially, be prepared to do a lot of homework as a Wizard – or, if you’re not ready for that kind of commitment, maybe try another class.

DnD 2024 Wizard

The DnD 2024 Wizard has changed less than other classes, but it has seen some tweaks in the new rules. Check out our guide for more information.

Alternatively, report to your first class in our D&D Wizard 5e guide, explaining the key schools of magic, the best DnD Wizard spells, and more. After that, check out which DnD Wizard subclasses we’d recommend.

Artificer 5e

The Artificer 5e is a tinkerer and a lover of tools. Using powerful magical infusions, an Artificer can create and bolster magical items and weapons that will really help your party pack a punch. The Artificer plays a big role in supporting their peers – it’s up to them to make everyone as powerful as possible.

Of course, that isn’t to say that you have to help your party out at all times. Feel free to roleplay petty grudges or selfish motivations for not passing out all the hottest new gadgets – Wisdom is a common ‘dump’ stat for this class, so you definitely don’t have to be wise all the time.

Artificer strengths

Machines and engineering rarely feature in D&D games, so the Artificer offers a unique flavor you can’t often explore with other classes. Its list of subclasses is varied, and each supports differing playstyles. Plus, thanks to your infusions, spells, and craftable items, there are heaps of customization options.

Artificer weaknesses

For some people, fine-tuning their perfect Artificer build is a big draw. But if you’re a beginner player or someone who doesn’t enjoy agonizing over small details, this might not be the class for you.

Plus, there are plenty of scenarios where the Artificer can feel a bit situational. They make great supporting characters and can use spells and 5e magic items to fill a few other combat roles in the party. But as Intelligence-based characters, they’re not going to naturally fill many out-of-combat roles.

The Artificer may also feel a bit wasted if your campaign doesn’t pay much attention to (or even allow) downtime, crafting, and magic items. So always check with your DM before going down this route.

Want to become a master of golems, explosives, and more? Check out our expertly engineered D&D Artificer 5e class guide for all the tools you need.

Blood Hunter 5e

The Blood Hunter 5e is a DnD homebrew class from the mind of Critical Role Dungeon Master Matt Mercer, but it’s proven popular enough to get its own unofficial write-up on D&D Beyond. Based in part on The Witcher, Blood Hunters sacrifice their own health – and blood- to use the power of hemocraft magic against evil.

There’s a lot of roleplay potential in Blood Hunters. They gather in secretive orders, are misunderstood by much of society, and must constantly grapple with the darkness within – as the darkness they use to fight evil may one day consume them all together. Roleplay aside, there are also plenty of ways to customize your hemocraft to deal damage to baddies in new and interesting ways.

Blood Hunter strengths

The Blood Hunter offers one of the most unique roleplaying opportunities of all. If the Gloomstalker Ranger or Assassin Rogue just wasn’t dark enough for you, here’s your chance to mix martial and magic abilities with a bit of blood.

With a careful character build, the Blood Hunter can be a powerful front-liner. And most of the subclasses make solid choices, so there’s plenty of variety for players who love to craft a character.

Blood Hunter weaknesses

The Blood Hunter class is situational in a way the mainline classes aren’t. Firstly, you need a DM who accepts homebrew classes to play one at all.

And secondly, you’ll likely need to run your chosen class past the players too – the class relies on blood, gore, and self-harm, so it’s good practice to make sure everyone around the table is comfortable with you roleplaying these topics. If they’re not, maybe you’re better off choosing a regular Ranger or Fighter.

As this is a homebrew class, you should also expect the balance to be a bit off compared to the core classes. The Blood Hunter can feel great when optimized properly, but they might not always feel as powerful as the party Wizard and Warlock.

Looking to join a Blood Hunter order? First, you’ll need to undergo the Hunter’s Bane ritual – then you should check out our D&D Blood Hunter 5e guide for everything you need to create a character.

Illrigger 5e

Designed by Matt Colville and the MCDM team, the Illrigger 5e takes a little flavor from many classes. Like Paladins, Illriggers swear an oath to use their might and magic to serve a higher purpose – only this time it’s a particular archdevil. Like Rogues, they excel at manipulation – and like Bards, they can use Dexterity, Charisma, and magic to their full advantage.

The class’ defining feature is a resource called ‘seals’. Illriggers can place one of these seals on an enemy (invisible to everyone but them) as a bonus action or when they land a successful weapon attack.

As they level up, they’ll gain a huge number of ways to use these seals. Some offer passive powers that debuff the target, while others can be expended to trigger a more explosive damage or control effect. Some seals can even be used to heal and buff your party – and at the bare minimum, they can be ‘burned’ to deal extra damage to a target at any time.

Illrigger strengths

If you’re a player who loves customization options, the Illrigger will be right up your alley. You regularly get to choose Interdictions that modify your seals, and you can hand-pick combat masteries, and even languages. Illrigger subclasses are extremely varied, and if you want even more variety, there’s one that adds a small number of spells to your repertoire.

Whatever kind of Illrigger you want to build, these options are powerful. The class’ action economy is very generous, allowing plenty of opportunity for extra attacks and abilities that cost nothing. Pretty much every generically-strong character option is on the table here – want to fly, cast free counterspells, or just deal a bucket of extra damage? An Illrigger can do it all.

Illrigger weaknesses

The Illrigger’s greatest strength is also its biggest downside. Since an Illrigger can be a striker, healer, support, control, spellcaster, and tank all in one, having a well-built one in your party may make other players feel less useful. And even though the 2024 rules have upped everybody’s power levels, the balance of this particular class can create a pretty large power gap.

It also doesn’t help that the Illrigger’s flavor means it’s only really available to evil characters who want to serve devils. Evil characters are more challenging to work with at the table, given their tendency to be selfish and not be a team player with good-aligned allies.

If you want to play an Illrigger, it’s important to remember that D&D is a team game. Talk to your DM about using this third-party option first, and build carefully.

You might have the perfect DnD class in mind now, but have you got a game to play them in? We can recommend our favorite DnD one shots to test your build in.